Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health Multisectoral Action Expert
Organizational Context
The World Health Organization (WHO) leads international health efforts within the UN system, guided by principles of integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity. WHO's vision is a world where all people achieve the highest possible level of health. Bangladesh has shown strong commitment to Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) prevention through a Joint Declaration, requiring multisectoral action. WHO supports the government in strengthening this action, focusing on prioritized ministries based on needs and potential impact.
Job Purpose
This role supports WHO Bangladesh in operationalizing the NCD Joint Declaration and National Multisectoral Action Plan (MSAP). The primary objective is to facilitate the translation of high-level commitments into practical, sector-specific actions, workplans, and monitoring arrangements across selected priority ministries. The UN Volunteer will coordinate multisectoral efforts, provide technical support, and track implementation progress, ensuring effective collaboration between WHO technical teams and government focal points. The role focuses on strengthening coordination and monitoring mechanisms, identifying bottlenecks, and facilitating targeted technical and implementation support to advance NCD prevention and control.
Responsibilities
The National UN Volunteer will provide technical, coordination, and implementation support to WHO and government counterparts for the NCD Joint Declaration and MSAP. Key responsibilities include assisting designated ministries in developing and finalizing workplans with clear actions, timelines, and monitoring mechanisms, focusing on NCDs, mental health, and injury prevention. The volunteer will consolidate ministry-level plans into an overall implementation framework, prepare high-level government briefing materials, and maintain a consolidated implementation tracker. Responsibilities also involve facilitating coordination between WHO technical teams and government focal points, documenting key decisions, and supporting selected Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) NCD & mental health priorities. This includes tracking progress, identifying bottlenecks, and preparing reports and updates.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressive professional experience in public health, NCD prevention and control, health systems, health policy, multisectoral coordination, government engagement, or programme implementation is required. Experience working with government ministries, WHO, UN agencies, or development partners is highly desirable. Essential experience includes understanding NCDs and Bangladesh's health system, multisectoral coordination, policy implementation, and stakeholder management.
Skills
Key competencies include teamwork, clear communication with senior officials, effective stakeholder engagement across ministries, strong planning and organizational skills, results orientation, analytical thinking for identifying gaps and opportunities, problem-solving for implementation bottlenecks, adaptability across different sectors, and technical expertise in NCDs and public health policy. Proficiency in project management, programme development, and strategy is also noted.